Maurices teams with PlayNetwork, Sonicbids for small-town band search

Duluth, Minn. Specialty apparel retailer Maurices said Tuesday it has teamed with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids to launch a nationwide “Small Town Sound” band search.

The “Small Town Sound” program was created as an extension of 2009’s “Small Town Charm,” a cross-country photo shoot.

“The goal of this program is not only to discover the hottest up-and-coming band in the country, but to continue building strong connections with the Maurices communities,” said Lisa Bartlett, assistant VP marketing at Maurices.

The Bangles, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, and Sick of Sarah will support the program designed to celebrate and encourage women in music. PlayNetwork’s involvement will include a series of music recordings, live performances and video productions featuring the aforementioned bands.

“With the launch of ‘Small Town Sound’ we are working with Maurices to create a soundtrack for the brand that reaches customers and powerfully communicates the brand message, even outside the walls of the retail space,” said John Crooke, senior director of creative development at PlayNetwork. “In step with Maurices’ commitment to establishing an innovative and progressive voice in retail fashion, we are excited to be producing a contest, that focuses on music, searching for women that truly reflect the Maurices brand and whose music enhances the overall Maurices experience.”

Unsigned female-fronted bands who entered between Sept. 14 and Oct. 8 will be narrowed to 50 entries by consumer vote. From these 50 bands, a group of panelists including The Bangles, Chrissie Hynde and Sick of Sarah, will narrow it down to 10 finalists who will then have two weeks to create an original song based on the “Small Town Sound” theme. On Dec. 1, voting will reopen on the site and consumers will vote a final time on the best original song to determine the grand prize winner and the two runners up.

The grand prize winner will perform live at their local Maurices and receive a trip to Los Angeles to shoot their own music video and record their winning song. They’ll also receive gifts from Maurices and Daisy Rock Guitars, as well as the opportunity to perform at a major national music festival this spring in a showcase with The Bangles and Sick of Sarah.